Comments from the Australian Conservation Foundation’s nuclear analyst, Dave Sweeney, who is at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan:
“The Australian Conservation Foundation welcomes the Albanese government’s confirmation that Australia will not sign a US-UK agreement on nuclear technology.
“Nuclear is not right for Australia, which has some of the best renewable energy resources on the planet.
“Here at the UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, the pro-nuclear lobby is acutely aware of nuclear’s high costs, so proponents talk about ‘de-risking’ projects – code for seeking access to public money.
“Extensive modelling by CSIRO shows nuclear is Australia’s most expensive energy option by a long way.
“The nuclear industry intends for taxpayers and households to pick up the tab for its super-expensive form of electricity.
“Lacking bipartisan support and facing community, legal and political obstacles in every Australian jurisdiction, the Opposition’s claim there will be nuclear reactors operating in a decade should they win the next federal election is fanciful.
“Nuclear is a dangerous distraction and delay to effective climate action. Australia’s energy future is renewable, not radioactive.”
